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About the Urban Food Zoning Code Update Project

Recognizing the connections between food and the community’s environmental, economic and physical health, the City of Portland has initiated a project to update its zoning code to promote traditional and emerging ways of producing and distributing food. The project will address five topic areas related to urban food production and distribution:

Farmers Markets

Community Gardens

Urban Food Production

Community Food Distribution Points

Animals and Bees

This project will affirm the City’s commitment to expanding access to healthful food for all Portlanders by:

Topic Areas

An update of the City of Portland’s zoning code regarding food production and distribution, the Urban Food Zoning Code Update will address five topic areas:

1. Farmers Markets

Farmers markets across the city provide residents access to locally grown produce and healthy food. They support the local and regional economy and provide gathering places for neighbors to interact. Although farmers markets have proliferated and are an integral part of Portland’s food culture, current regulations prohibit farmers markets from operating on a consistent basis in many locations across the City.

This project will define the characteristics of farmers markets and develop zoning code regulations that ensure their appropriate siting and economic success, as well as protect the livability of the surrounding neighborhoods.

2. Community Gardens

Community gardens provide an opportunity for residents to grow their own food in a neighborhood setting that promotes healthy eating, physical activity and community interaction. They also provide opportunities to grow healthful food for those in need, as well as provide access to gardening space for those who need it. Portland is actively trying to increase the number of City-managed gardens and support the development of community gardens at schools, faith-based facilities and other institutional sites.

This project will define the characteristics of community gardens and develop code provisions to ensure their development is well integrated and beneficial to the surrounding neighborhoods.

3. Urban Food Production

As many Portlanders strive to have a deeper connection with the food they eat, food production has increased in front, back and side yards across the city. Some entrepreneurs have even established market gardens and sell the fruits of their labor. The City supports these types of activities and recognizes that growing food within the city improves self-sufficiency, food security and public health.

This project will define different scales of agricultural activities and develop code provisions that determine where, and under what conditions, food production and sales will be allowed in the city.

4. Community Food Distribution Points

Cooperative buying clubs and community-sponsored agriculture farms (CSAs) benefit local growers and the regional economy, increase awareness of healthful foods and help residents purchase locally grown food at lower prices. Farmers and/or local distributors deliver in bulk to a central location, where the food is distributed to members who pick up their portion of food. These distribution sites are primarily in residential neighborhoods and issues have arisen — primarily increased vehicle traffic — around the drop-off/pick-up sites.

This project will address the positive aspects of alternative food distribution methods, as well as the possible negative impacts to neighborhoods. Code language will be developed that clarifies how best to regulate these uses.

5. Animals and Bees

Many residents are raising chickens for fresh eggs, goats for milk, and bees for honey. Keeping three animals, such as chickens (hens), pygmy goats and rabbits is currently allowable on a residential lot without a permit. But as the number of residents raising animals for food has grown, so have the questions about regulating the type, number and care of urban animals and bees.

This project will provide an opportunity to identify any existing problems or concerns, and determine if changes need to be made to benefit animal keepers and/or neighborhood welfare.

Multnomah County Health Department is administering a grant from the national Center for Disease Control (CDC) Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) program and has awarded funds to BPS and Oregon Public Health Institute (OPHI) to ensure health and equity are considered in all aspects of this project. The purpose of CPPW is to prevent obesity and chronic disease caused by physical inactivity and poor nutrition through policy and environmental change strategies such as improving access to healthy food.